Knowledge test fee set to increase March 1

February 25, 2010

ByAOPA ePublishing staff

Computer Assisted Testing Service Inc. (CATS) and LaserGrade are scheduled to increase their FAA knowledge test fee by $50 on March 1.

The two companies had notified AOPA that the fee increase would go into effect April 1, but a letter to testing centers indicated March 1. The companies have decided to go ahead and increase the fees at the beginning of March.

AOPA, the Experimental Aircraft Association, the National Air Transportation Association, and the National Association of Flight Instructors had asked the testing services and the FAA to delay the increase and re-evaluate its need. The companies say they are using the increased fees to comply with new FAA requirements.

AOPA and the other organizations that wrote to the companies continue to question the need for the increased fee and are concerned about the negative impact the fee could have on student pilot starts and the general aviation industry. The groups will continue to look for ways to work with the FAA and testing centers to address the increase.

AOPA is calling on its members to take immediate action to build support for new legislation that would reform the third class medical process and provide other protections for general aviation pilots.